‘Final at the beginning’ for Bangladesh

Keeping sights on a spot in next year's Junior World Cup, Bangladesh are looking to make a winning start in the Junior Asia Cup against Oman in 'the final at the beginning' in Muscat today.

Bangladesh have been placed in Pool B alongside Pakistan, Malaysia, China and Oman, with six out of total 10 teams advancing into the Junior World Cup, which will be held in India in 2025.

The opening match is crucial for Bangladesh to finish either third or fourth in the pool in a bid to staying in race. Bangladesh had beaten Oman beat 7-6 in shootout to emerge champions in the AHF Qualifiers earlier this. The men in red and green have also beaten the same opposition five times in last three Junior Asia Cups.

"For us, it is like a final match at the beginning of the tournament because we want to finish either third or fourth in the pool," head coach Moududur Rahman Shuvo told The Daily Star over phone from Oman yesterday.

Under Shuvo's guidance, Bangladesh trained for nearly two-and-a-half months at BKSP but did not get to play any practice matches.

The team played a 30-minute practice match against Korea on Sunday, going down 2-1.

"The practice match was important because we needed to get introduced to the new turf under floodlights and the players now know how the turf will behave. I think the team is in good shape and ready to fight," said Shuvo.